Clothing liner for aquatic environments

ABSTRACT

A swimsuits having a modesty panel are described. The described swimsuits prevent potentially embarrassing or uncomfortable effects of the swimwear clinging to the user&#39;s body caused by leaving the water. The modesty panel uses a material porous enough to allow air to pass but prevents water trapped in the swimwear from causing it to cling to the user&#39;s skin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/889,181, filed Jun. 1, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and to which priority is claimed.

BACKGROUND

When people wear swimwear and get into the water, a common issue arises when the user gets out of the water as water fills all of the openings and cavities in the fabric. When the user exits the water, the water filled openings prevent the air from passing through them. As a result, there is a vacuum created between the fabric and the user.

As a result of the vacuum, the swimwear tends to “cling” to the user's skin. This can lead to several potentially negative effects. First, it can cause the user to feel the outside air is colder than the actual temperature since the air is directly cooling the water which is directly cooling the skin. Second, it can make the swimwear difficult to take off as it is effectively adhering to the user. Third, the vacuum make parts of the body more pronounced through the fabric, which raises issues of modesty.

SUMMARY

The invention in various exemplary embodiments prevents swimwear from adhering to various parts of the body. This regulates temperature and comfort while addressing modesty issues. This is accomplished in part by the placement of materials with certain properties where it prevents a vacuum forming between the user and the swimwear when the user leaves the water.

For example, disclosed herein is a swimsuit comprising: a front panel and a back panel, each having an inside surface, and an inside panel sewn inside the swimsuit proximate to at least a portion of the inside surface of the front panel and configured such that, when a wearer wears the swimsuit, the inside panel will be disposed between at least a portion of the wearer's body and the front panel and will not be disposed between wearer's body and the back panel. According to some embodiments, the inside panel is configured to be disposed between the wearer's genital area and the front panel. According to some embodiments, the swimsuit comprises a waist band, a hemline, an inseam, and an outer seam, wherein the inside panel is sewn to at least the waist band, the inseam and the outer seam. According to some embodiments, the inside panel is also sewn to the hemline. According to some embodiments, the inside panel comprises two wing panels and a modesty panel wherein the inside panel is configured such that the modesty panel will be disposed between the wearer's genital area and the inside surface of the front panel and each of the wing panels will be disposed between the wearer's thighs and the inside surface of the front panel. According to some embodiments, the modesty panel and the wing panels are made of the same material. According to some embodiments, the modesty panel is made of a greater number of layers of material than the wing panels. According to some embodiments, the inside panel comprises a material that is substantially permeable to air. According to some embodiments, the inside panel is substantially waterproof. According to some embodiments, the inside panel comprises one or more of nylon and a polyether-polyurea copolymer. According to some embodiments, the inside panel comprises 80-90% nylon and 10-20% polyether-polyurea copolymer.

Also disclosed herein is a method of preparing a swimsuit, comprising: providing a swimsuit shell comprising a front panel and a back panel, each having an inside surface, sewing an inside panel inside the swimsuit shell proximate to at least a portion of the inside surface of the front panel and configured such that, when a wearer wears the swimsuit, the inside panel will be disposed between at least a portion of the wearer's body and the front panel and will not be disposed between wearer's body and the back panel. According to some embodiments, the swimsuit shell comprises a waist band, a hemline, an inseam, and an outer seam, and wherein sewing the inside panel inside the swimsuit shell comprises sewing the inside panel to each of the waist band, hemline, inseam, and outer seam. According to some embodiments, the inside panel comprises two wing panels and a modesty panel disposed between the wing panels wherein the inside panel is configured such that the modesty panel will be disposed between the wearer's genital area and the inside surface of the front panel and each of the wing panels will be disposed between the wearer's thighs and the inside surface of the front panel. According to some embodiments, the modesty panel and the wing panels are made of the same material. According to some embodiments, the modesty panel is made of a greater number of layers of material than the wing panels. According to some embodiments, the inside panel comprises a material that is substantially permeable to air. According to some embodiments, the inside panel is substantially waterproof. According to some embodiments, the inside panel comprises one or more of nylon and a polyether-polyurea copolymer. According to some embodiments, the inside panel comprises 80-90% nylon and 10-20% polyether-polyurea copolymer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1A shows a modesty panel for a swimsuit.

FIG. 1B shows the modesty panel of FIG. 1A incorporated into a swimsuit.

FIG. 2A shows an inside panel fora swimsuit.

FIG. 2B shows the inside panel of FIG. 2A incorporated into a swimsuit.

FIG. 3A shows a sleeve for a swimsuit.

FIG. 3B shows the sleeve of FIG. 3A incorporated into a swimsuit.

FIG. 4A shows a separate undergarment for use in concert with a swimsuit.

FIG. 4B shows the undergarment of FIG. 4A used in concert with a swimsuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is made from a lightweight and water resistant material such as nylon/spandex blend. The material used may be any known to those skilled in the art that allows for the passing of gases but restricts liquids. The exemplary embodiment may use a single layer of fabric or multiple layers of fabric depending on the fabric thickness and other properties. An advantage of the exemplary embodiment is that is assists in temperature regulation by restricting contact between the user and swimwear, which creates a perceptible temperature change against a user's skin when the user leaves the water due to the water retained by the swimwear.

The first embodiment is a front concealer 100 that includes a modesty panel 102 that is strategically positioned against a sensitive area or an area to be covered due to modesty. The exemplary embodiment is coupled to the swimwear 150 in a location such as over the genital area of a swimwear 150. The exemplary embodiment prevents the swimwear 150 from sticking to the covered area when the user leaves the water while the rest of the swimwear 150 adheres to the user due to a suction. Additionally, the potential vacuum becomes compromised by the presence of the front concealer 100 creating a small cavity where the front concealer 100 prevents the swimwear 150 from adhering to the user in the area covered by the front concealer 100 when the user leaves the water.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an embodiment of an inside panel (also referred to as a panel liner) 202 and a swimsuit 150 comprising such a panel sewn inside a swimsuit shell 250. As used herein, the term “swimsuit shell” refers to the swimsuit without the inside panel. As shown in FIG. 2A, embodiments of the inside panel 202 may include a modesty panel 102, similar to the modesty panel described above, and wing panels 204 a and 204 b. The modesty panel and the wing panels of the inside panel may be made of the same or of different materials. According to some embodiments, the modesty panel and the wing panels are made of the same material. According to some embodiments, the modesty panel and the wing panels have a different numbers of layers of material. For example, the modesty panel may have more layers of material than the wing panels. According to some embodiments there is no difference between the modesty panel and the wings. According to some embodiments, the inside panel 202 is made of one or more layers of material that is substantially permeable to air but that is at least moderately impermeable to water (i.e., waterproof). Examples of suitable materials include synthetic fiber materials. According to some embodiments, the material may comprise nylon (i.e., polyamide fibers) and/or polyether-polyurea copolymer (e.g., spandex, Lycra, elastane, or the like). According to some embodiments, the material is a blend comprising 80-90% nylon and 10-20% polyether-polyurea copolymer.

According to some embodiments, the two wing panels 204 a and 204 b are one piece of material, and one or more additional layers comprising the modesty panel 102 are layered upon the wing panels. According to some embodiments, the modesty panel comprises 3-5 layers of material. Alternatively, each wing panel and the modesty panel may comprise separate sections that are sewn together to form the inside panel 202.

FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment of the inside panel 202 sewn inside a swimsuit shell 250. In the illustrated embodiment, the swimsuit shell comprises a front panel 206 and a back panel 208. Each of the front panel and the back panel of the shell comprise an inner surface, which in the shell (i.e., without the liner) would be against the wearer's skin. In other words, the inside surface of the front panel of the shell would be against the wearer's genital area and the upper front portion of the wearer's legs and the back panel of the shell would be against the wearer's buttocks and upper rear portion of the wearer's legs. Appreciate that the front and back panels may comprise different pieces of material, which may be sewn together at an inseam (not shown) and at an outer seam 210. According to other embodiments, the front and back panels may comprise the same pieces of material or may be sewn in other configurations than the one illustrated.

According to some embodiments, like the illustrated embodiment, the inside panel 202 is sewn inside the swimsuit shell 250 such that the inside panel is proximate to the inside surface of the front panel and is not proximate to the inside surface of the back panel. In other words, the inside panel is only configured in the front of the swimsuit and is not present in the back of the swimsuit. Accordingly, when a wearer wears the swimsuit, the inside panel is disposed between the inside surface of the front panel and the wearer's body but is not disposed between the back panel and the wearer's body. For example, the inside panel may be sewn into the swimsuit shell by sewing it to the inseam (not shown) and the outer seam 210. The inside panel may also be sewn to the waistband 212 and the hemline 214.

The inventors have found that embodiments of a swimsuit having an inside panel configured in the front of the swimsuit but not in the back of the swimsuit perform especially well at preventing the vacuum effects described above. Generally, such embodiments perform better than other embodiments that include an inner set of briefs sewn into the swimsuit, such as those known in the prior art. The inventors have found that sewn-in briefs or inner liners that completely surround the wearer's body tend to behave similar to the outer swimsuit shell in sucking to and conforming to the wearer's body. In other words, the sewn-in briefs are not effective at preventing the vacuum effect described above. In contrast, embodiments, such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, are better at preventing the suction effect.

Embodiments of a swimsuit 150 may be prepared by providing a swimsuit shell 250 and sewing an inside panel 202 into the shell, as described above. According to some embodiments, the swimsuit shell may be provided as a complete shell, including the front and back panels already sewn together, whereupon the inside panel 202 can be sewn into the shell as a finishing procedure. Alternatively, the inside panel may be sewn into the shell as the front panel is incorporated into the shell.

In a third exemplary embodiment, a suit concealer 300 lines the inner surface of the swimwear 150 on all sides. The suit concealer 300 comprises the modesty panel 102 and a suit liner 302 that is sewn together. The suit concealer 300 forms a barrier between the swimwear 150 and the user. As described above, the presence of the exemplary embodiment prevents the swimwear 150 from adhering to the user when they leave the water. Further, the modesty panel 102 and the suit liner 302 may be sewn together or created as a single unit without departing from the scope of the invention.

A fourth exemplary embodiment comprises a leg concealer 400 that is worn by the user and encircles the users upper legs and lower torso. The leg concealer 400 comprises the modesty panel 102 and a leg liner 402 that is sewn together. The leg concealer 400 forms a barrier between the swimwear 150 and the user. As described above, the presence of the exemplary embodiment prevents the swimwear 150 from adhering to the user when they leave the water. Further, the modesty panel 102 and the leg liner 402 may be sewn together or created as a single unit without departing from the scope of the invention.

All the above described exemplary embodiments may be made from a single or multiple layers of fabric of varying thickness for modesty and thermal regulation. An example would be where the modesty panel 102 is thicker than the panel liner 202 or suit liner 302. The increased thickness may be accomplished by using material of different thickness. An alternate method would have multiple layers of the same thickness material used for the modesty panel 102.

Additional exemplary embodiments of the invention can be adapted for either gender.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments provide improved garments for use in aquatic environments. Although specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This specification is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of embodiments. In particular, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the names and terminology are not intended to limit embodiments. Furthermore, additional apparatus can be added to the components, functions can be rearranged among components, and new components corresponding to future enhancements and future physical devices used in embodiments can be introduced without departing from the scope of the invention. The terminology used in this application is intended to include all embodiments and alternatives which provide the same functionality as described herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A swimsuit comprising: a front panel and a back panel, each having an inside surface, and an inside panel sewn inside the swimsuit proximate to at least a portion of the inside surface of the front panel and configured such that, when a wearer wears the swimsuit, the inside panel will be disposed between at least a portion of the wearer's body and the front panel and will not be disposed between wearer's body and the back panel.
 2. The swimsuit of claim 1, wherein the inside panel is configured to be disposed between the wearer's genital area and the front panel.
 3. The swimsuit of claim 1, wherein the swimsuit comprises a waist band, a hemline, an inseam, and an outer seam, wherein the inside panel is sewn to at least the waist band, the inseam and the outer seam.
 4. The swimsuit of claim 3, wherein the inside panel is also sewn to the hemline.
 5. The swimsuit of claim 1, wherein the inside panel comprises two wing panels and a modesty panel wherein the inside panel is configured such that the modesty panel will be disposed between the wearer's genital area and the inside surface of the front panel and each of the wing panels will be disposed between the wearer's thighs and the inside surface of the front panel.
 6. The swimsuit of claim 5, wherein the modesty panel and the wing panels are made of the same material.
 7. The swimsuit of claim 6, wherein the modesty panel is made of a greater number of layers of material than the wing panels.
 8. The swimsuit of claim 1, wherein the inside panel comprises a material that is substantially permeable to air.
 9. The swimsuit of claim 8, wherein the inside panel is substantially waterproof
 10. The swimsuit of claim 1, wherein the inside panel comprises one or more of nylon and a polyether-polyurea copolymer.
 11. The swimsuit of claim 10, wherein the inside panel comprises 80-90% nylon and 10-20% polyether-polyurea copolymer.
 12. A method of preparing a swimsuit, comprising: providing a swimsuit shell comprising a front panel and a back panel, each having an inside surface, and sewing an inside panel inside the swimsuit shell proximate to at least a portion of the inside surface of the front panel and configured such that, when a wearer wears the swimsuit, the inside panel will be disposed between at least a portion of the wearer's body and the front panel and will not be disposed between wearer's body and the back panel.
 13. The method of claiml2, wherein the swimsuit shell comprises a waist band, a hemline, an inseam, and an outer seam, and wherein sewing the inside panel inside the swimsuit shell comprises sewing the inside panel to each of the waist band, hemline, inseam, and outer seam.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the inside panel comprises two wing panels and a modesty panel wherein the inside panel is configured such that the modesty panel will be disposed between the wearer's genital area and the inside surface of the front panel and each of the wing panels will be disposed between the wearer's thighs and the inside surface of the front panel.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the modesty panel and the wing panels are made of the same material.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the modesty panel is made of a greater number of layers of material than the wing panels.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the inside panel comprises a material that is substantially permeable to air.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the inside panel is substantially waterproof.
 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the inside panel comprises one or more of nylon and a polyether-polyurea copolymer.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the inside panel comprises 80-90% nylon and 10-20% polyether-polyurea copolymer. 